Might go back to pink hair, feeling rebellious today.
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What type of 'Inner teenager' do you have in you... compliant or rebellious?
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#throwback

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17 minutes ago

When these lights are on, it's bedtime in this house.
I really avoid "longing" for bedtime and choose to be present instead. (I don't find those memes funny.) There are only so many bedtimes that one mother gets to experience. But today I struggled to be present. There was a longing. We had an incident with a rock in the car, a cupboard falling over and just general shenanigans in the space of 1.5 hours. I was just tired.
Our girls were very cuddly with one another tonight.
As they held each other, Cadence said quite randomly: "it's okay to be sad. Sometimes, things go wrong."
And, my sweet girl, you are so onto it.
I don't want to claim the emotional intelligence that she's gained for herself but I am grateful for the positive influence that she has in her life: us.
On a day where I felt like I wasn't meeting the bar, I think I'm doing alright after all.

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20 minutes ago

Who's in your tribe?⁠
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Are you surrounded by people who light you up, refresh you, believe in you and who you just know, are good for your soul?⁠
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I wasn't always great at choosing friends wisely. I distinctly remember that when I was younger, my mum was usually right about people, and I was determined to learn the hard way. ⁠
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Now, I'm much more discerning and can sense when I "click" with someone very quickly. I am more in tune with how someone makes me feel. ⁠
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We were made for connection. We need a tribe. ⁠
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Who we welcome into our tribe makes ALL the difference. ⁠
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Later this week, over on the blog, I'll be exploring how to choose your tribe wisely. How to surround yourself with great people who love you for you. ⁠
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This is a topic that has been requested by the More to Mum community and I believe it's an important one. So many mums feel isolated, lonely or are lacking support. ⁠
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Let's talk about how to start fixing that.⁠
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Do you need to build, or rebuild, your tribe?⁠
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📸: @vironikatugaleva⁠

Its our second day of potty training and She did it!!..she did a number two in the potty this morning .I just can't believe she did it ,I have been feeling down about it and felt like a failure at some point, I have tried potty training before but it was a total fail,now I just need her to wee in the potty ..so today being our second day I am happy ,any advice tips is appreciated ,what was your experience potty training?#parenting #parents
#gentleparenting #consciousparenting
#peacefulparenting #attachmentparenting
#mindfulparenting #positiveparenting
#respectfulparenting #naturalparenting
#consciousparentingtraining #thegentleparent
#calmparenting #kindparenting#attachment
#motherhood#pottytraining#parentlife
#BEthechange #growinguptogether
#bethebestversionofyourself #parentingtips
#parentinggoals #parentinglife #parentingishard
#parentingadvice#parenting101
#parentingmoments #potty
#consciousparentingtraining

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35 minutes ago

Aurora Selene, my darling girl. 💕 I’ll have daddy capture this moment again, maybe when she’s two - perhaps when she’s five - or eight - or a big 13 year old on my lap. I’ll hold her, still.
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Nothing will ever compare to a mother’s love, a mother’s bond, a mother’s touch. Mommy’s arms are a child’s safe place & I love being their shelter.
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While in this photo I’m holding Aurora, it’s thoughts of Apollo that arise. We took the twins to my best friends bridal shower - the most people they’ve ever been around. Apollo was overwhelmed to say the least. Within just a few minutes he had been taken into another room to calm down. I instantly took over, knowing how upset he can get but he was a whole new level of upset. He was anxious and sobbing and scared and panting and crying. I had never seen him this way. I held him close and circled back through the party, calming him down, when a gentleman then walked by and tried to say hi to him and talk to him. His little lip turned up and he lost it all over again. He knew the man was a stranger to him. Technically he knew they all were. He’s just a baby, can you blame him for feeling this way? I can’t. In a room full of people I still get anxious. I pick my nails & play with my fingers & don’t make eye contact. We all have our faults & if Apollo’s is that he’s a little shy & anxious, we’ll work through that together. Aurora, on the other hand, is a social butterfly. She was passed around the room like a piece of candy & mama didn’t have to worry for a second.
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No matter who’s in need, I’ll always keep my babies close and safe and protected. I’m very much a helicopter mom and at this stage, it doesn’t bother me in the least. Be a helicopter. Smother those babies. “Coddle” them. FUCK IT, they need it. They need YOU. #parentwithpurpose

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38 minutes ago

You are my sunshine 🌞

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41 minutes ago

This week’s sharing session has just gone live on Facebook. Photos! How to handle this in class.
First consent is key for any photography. This is a must to make parents feel safe and protect their privacy
2. Phones in class-how do you feel about this. I tend to trust and empower my parents to make a decision on this and I never take away anyone’s phone
3. Professional photography in class can enhance your clients experience and be a selling point for your classes but be mindful that it is non intrusive and natural
4. Taking a photo at the end of a class can be a lovely idea especially if you frame it as a gift for clients but again get consent if you share any of these photos with others or social media.
Photos are powerful and can enhance your classes but they can also lead to complications so think carefully about how and why you have them so that everyone feels safe and secure. Check out my Facebook live on this today ♡

It’s funny how fear and Motherhood go hand in hand, don’t you think? The job that fills are homes and hearts up with a love like no other is so often governed by a bubbling undercurrent of fear. What does that fear look like? For me it’s the fear of making mistakes, that somehow my actions, words or decisions will have an impact on my children that will perhaps have a negative outcome for them and then that one day, I will blame myself for this.
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We want our children to have a good relationship with food, with their friends, with screens and with nature. We want them to be kind and “well-rounded”, learned, interested and successful. We want to make sure that they’re OK, healthy, happy and secure. We want them to know they that they are loved and for them to love in return.
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So what do we do? We act in fear. We are too firm or too gentle, too protective or not protective enough. We are pushy with our own conditioned thoughts and opinions and we push our children to ensure that they fit the mould that will keep our fears at bay. Fear can prevent us from changing course, breaking generational patterns and allowing our children to feel pain and heartbreak. We are comfortable with what we know even when perhaps deep down, we seek something different .
But what if we noticed that fear and questioned it? What if instead of being led by fear, we were led by love? What if we realised that our children, pure creatures of love + light, know just what to do. For it’s in the moments when we’re not looking and we’re not trying, that our children show the most kindness, the most honesty and the most trust and connection to their world.
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What if we harnessed this undercurrent of fear and used it to help us lean in closer, to observe our children and their needs instead of directing them? What if we used it to help us let go a little, to trust them and the power of their own instincts and then to guide gently, rather than to punish or shame?
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What if our children are actually here to teach US how to love and let go and not the other way around. Children teach us to live in the here and now, as they do so well and when you’re truly living in the now, fear has no place at all

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1 hour ago

As parents we are constantly bombarded with advice about a million things that we should and shouldn’t be doing. It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed and perhaps, at times, confused by all the contradictory information. We want to know better, so that we can do better – however, we often don’t know where to begin.⁣⁣
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When children behave in ways that are deemed inappropriate, that behavior is oftentimes labelled as “bad” and the child viewed as “naughty” or “attention-seeking.” However, if we come to see that all behaviours signal a need, these labels are no longer necessary.⁣ ⁣
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One of our greatest needs as humans is connection. For children, that is usually connection with their parents or other close caregivers, including their teachers. When we can see a child’s behavior as a call for connection, then we may be more motivated to pause and meet them where they are, sooner than we otherwise might. ⁣⁣
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Please click on the link in my bio to read more on how to “connect before correcting” and how doing so helps not only our children, but us too.

If you grew up in a family where you were constantly micro managed, dictated to, told what to do - it’s no wonder that now as an adult you find it difficult to sit still and relax. Your nervous system is stuck in fight or flight.
You’re so conditioned to always be up on the go that you live as though everything is an emergency.
You micro manage the children. You give them more rules and orders than they can manage and every few minutes you’re on their backs telling them what to do. “Put your shoes away”
“Where’s your bag?”
“Go and brush your teeth”
“Eat your dinner”
“Wipe your face after you’ve eaten”
“Put your plates away”
“Go get your coat”
“Get up and help me”
“Why are you sitting there, sit over there”
If this is you notice these patterns. Even count how many times you are prompting them throughout the day - because maybe it appears there’s a communication problem when in fact it’s a connection problem.
Then go back in time and notice how you were raised. How did parents connect with you? Did they connect with you? What blue print were you given.
It takes some time to change and rewire these patterns.
It takes time to reset the nervous system and go against the ways you have been conditioned.
But when you do you’ll experience more connection, more presence and a more relaxed way of doing things.

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1 hour ago

Yesterday we baked cupcakes. It was coming towards the end of a challenging week of solo parenting for me. I'd been averaging 5 hours sleep a night with wakes and early rises so I was beyond exhausted. I'd spent the day struggling to stay awake and we watched more cartoons than I'd prefer but I knew, I needed to recharge.
I try to do a lot of things with the kids from getting outdoors, learning about nature, cooking and art. I get as much enjoyment out of these things as the kids do so it helps my mental health.
Sometimes people tell me they feel bad they aren't doing as much. Comparison only drives guilt and by comparing we don't see the full picture.
What I post here are the moments of joy, in between the slog. The moments of joy, help me to reflect on the week and see the positives. I also hope that by sharing the activities we do, that they can give you ideas on easy things to do with the kids or if you need 15 minutes of peace🧘. Remember your limits, prioritize your self care and all the rest will come.
Support is so important too. This is an area I struggle with. I'm so used to doing things myself that I find it hard to ask for help. This week, I booked a childminder so I could go for dinner with some friends. It felt like such a luxury that I struggled with guilt organising it but I knew I needed some adult conversation and a good meal.
If you don't have traditional support available, it makes it all the more challenging so your energy levels are going to be less than someone with lots of help. That's the reality and some acceptance is needed on that front. You can't do it all. If you need some downtime, take it.
Don't put pressure on yourself and focus on the things you are doing versus the things you are not. Part of gentle parenting is being gentle on yourself ♥️ #workinprogress#parenting#guilt#parentguilt#momguilt#dadguilt#mumguilt#mentalload#mentalhealth#knowyourlimits#support#findyourtribe#giveyourselfabreak#gentleparenting#responsiveparenting#consciousparenting#gratitude#comparingyourselftoothers#comparison#positivepsychology#reset#exhaustion

Standing at the portal, a place where time stands still.
There is something about fresh water holes, waterfalls, springs ~ as if they were placed here for us to cleanse within and witness what is so much bigger than our tiny human life form.
I feel this more than ever.
What I feel even more so is power, and as I step into it my body grows softer, my belly rounder ~ this time around is different, more gentle.
I have more energy, feel more powerful, and sense more wonder.
Tallows pregnancy and birth journey brought me here ~ I wonder where this little souls same journey will take me this time round. 🌿

🌟‘You have to learn to say NO more often!’🌟 How many times have you heard this?
Throughout my 13 year mothering journey following my instincts all the way and applying gentle parenting. I have lost count of the number of times I have had this said to me! 😱
With my first child who is now 13 years old, I would feel so disapproved and misunderstood and ultimately ‘WRONG’ - as if everyone around me thought I ‘should’ be doing things differently.
When someone I cared about witnessed my gentle parenting during those highly charged moments when I’d be doing all I could to be fully attentive to my daughter through her ‘meltdown’ - I’d feel soooo self-conscious.
As if I could see and hear all the thoughts running through their head 😱
Then I’d have the added stress of navigating my way, in between what THEY thought I ‘should’ be doing - and MY instinctual way of raising my child.
Usually, this mix of ideas and beliefs along with a distressed child, would exacerbate her seemingly ‘negative’ behaviour -
sometimes leaving me with burning frustration that
‘my way’ THEN appeared even MORE alien! 😱
Do you relate to this experience? 🤔
The thing I found hardest was having this deep inner KNOWING that ‘my way’ was right for me and my child yet not having evidence that this was so.
As if, BECAUSE I was a first-time mum ‘How WOULD I know?!’ And then fear would occasionally kick in - ‘what IF they are right and my child turns out to be a manipulating, ‘spoilt brat’?! 😱
All because of ME?!! Such a myriad of emotions AND all soooooo unnecessary!! I can say this with conviction now.
It was obviously necessary for me to EXPERIENCE what I did because from all challenging experiences, we have the opportunity to grow.
And I most CERTAINLY have.
From my journey, I now know that my purpose here on Earth is to help and empower YOU to - 💕 deeply listen to what FEELS right for you. 💕 TRUST your inner yearnings and use them as your guide. 💕 strengthen your COURAGE muscle and stay aligned to your truth in ALL situations 💕 BELIEVE in yourself 💕 MOTHER YOUR WAY, Unapologetically.
All. Of. The. Time.
And I do this by....(continued in the comments below)

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TAP TO SHOP 👆 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#candidchildhood #rockclimbing#rieparenting#pikler#piklertriangle#yesspace#freemove#gentleparenting#climbers#climbersofinstagram#kidsstyle#kidsroomideas#kidsroominspo ⠀#perthmums #melbournemums#sydneymums ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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3 hours ago

Shout out to my king. ✨
I am forever grateful that we both have the same parenting style.
All of my support in #breastfeeding and #cosleeping come from him. Along with our choice to do #attachmentparenting
And you want to know why that is ? Because he grew up in a family who normalised all these things.
Cory’s Mum is a midwife so birth is normal.
She also practiced attachment parenting along with co sleeping. Cory’s youngest brother was also breastfed until 4.5. It’s the normal in their tribe and now in ours. The way we raise our boys will impact who they are as men. 🌻
Thank you for being the best father to our boys, husband to me and man to the rest of the world. ☀️ Your my sunshine in the rain.

Connect with your baby now in the moment. Baby massage helps the noise and busyness to stop so that you can just notice the incredible experience that is taking place of guiding a new life to find home. Slow down, connect, notice, breath and know that you are safe and supported. Love creates love

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4 hours ago

A lil reminder to myself to stay grateful & mindful through this precious life. Appreciating every day I get to journey through it with these sunshines ☀️🌈💛🧡💚❤️

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4 hours ago

You CAN achieve anything. It all starts with mindset. Train your mind that you can do or be whatever you want, then go and do it, and don’t stop!👌🏼

Tractor rides are obligatory whenever we come past Peregrine Farm Stall, one of our favorite pitstops. 🚜
The playground has a green and a red one as well as a dreamcatcher swing, normal swings and ropes, slide and lots of stuff to clamber on.
The farm stall sells delicious eats - to eat right there or take away - the coffee is strong and there’s even free WiFi.
Happy weekend everyone!

MUM & BABY GIFT BOXES
At Mama Jewels, we don’t just sell jewellery! We have a really extensive collection of mum and baby gift boxes too! #mumandbabygift
Do you like our ‘Down in the jungle’ themed box!

Every parent wants to know how to raise a happy, healthy, capable and resilient little one while overcoming everyday parenting challenges. The Raising Toddlers Conference is the place to learn how! Register now for this FREE, ONLINE conference, September 26-30, 2019, to learn from more than 25 experts how to set effective limits, stop the cycle of yelling, transform picky eating and overcome behavior challenges as well as help you remain calm in frustrating moments and boost your parenting confidence! Take the frustration, confusion and guesswork out of raising a toddler! Register here for the Raising Toddlers Conference today!
💛🌻
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https://raisingtoddlersconference.com/opt-in?affiliate_id=1942318
Or
Look for the link in my bio.
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📸 @transformingtoddlerhood 💕 .
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#raisingtoddlersconference #transformingtoddlerhood

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6 hours ago

SLEEP is so important! This is best illustrated by my lack-of-sleep-induced lapse in sharing pics that included a wedding, honeymoon, and pregnancy! Now that Bubsie is almost 6 months old, it’s time to update. And sleep. The first is up to me, but for the second I have help from Holistic Sleep Coaching! I can’t express how grateful I am for this fantastic program. #newbaby#mamaandson#sleepybaby#gentleparenting#holisticsleepcoachingprogram #holisticsleepcoachingtransformationweek

I’m very proud to have a community that comes together to celebrate the improvement of one another and the world. No matter how big or how small every little sustainable action helps the world. #nooranvegfest

Have you heard Joan Sleigh speak before? There are still tickets available for our amazing event on Tuesday evening (Tickets via Eventbrite - Link in bio & via our Facebook page)
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Learn more about Joan and the various topics she discusses via the SIF website.

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8 hours ago

Children need adult support to regulate the emotional and physiological states that drive their behaviours. Time-out, where an adult isolates a child as a form of consequence/punishment, does not provide children with the support they need to develop the ability to regulate their emotions and behaviour- it cuts them off from accessing that support. In contrast, time-in is about creating a calm and connected space for you and your child to allow big feelings (and then behaviour) to settle within the safety and support of your relationship. For older children, time-in can be a time to talk through big feelings.
Children develop the capacity to regulate their own feelings and behaviours over time through repeated experiences of having their emotions soothed and regulated by a caregiver. They can’t do it without our support. AND when a child is emotionally regulated, they are less likely to display big behaviours. Supporting children with their feelings really is the key to helping children and families shift from moments of chaos to moments of calm.
For great resources on time-in and other relationship-based parenting ideas, check out the Circle of Security Parenting or the Gottman Institute online.
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#gentleparenting #parenting#parentingquotes#kidsofig#baby#mama#circleofsecurity#timein#childdevelopment#mentalhealth#calm#mindfulness#consciousparenting#family#familygoals#happyfamily#relationshipgoals#relationshipquotes#quotes#motivationalquotes#dailymotivation#therapy#weekend#weekendvibes#rachelsamson

When a ‘well known’ Australian midwife and supposed advocate of birth and breastfeeding says your choices and experiences are irrelevant and meaningless... This is originally from a retired US Ob (so, no longer a practicing doctor) who openly hates breastfeeding advocates.
This is disgraceful. This is insulting.
Your journey matters.
Whether your baby is breastfed is NOT irrelevant.
How you birth your babies is NOT meaningless.
You do not deserve to have the importance of your choices dismissed by anyone, but more importantly, by someone who has supposedly dedicated their life to birthing women.
Supporting those who don’t breastfeed should never come at the expense of those who choose to.
Dismissing those who have struggled to breastfeed (and even 1 breastfeed is a success!), those who are traumatized by their experiences and those who have cried buckets because they couldn’t/didn’t... those who care about the way their baby is born... for those who desperately wanted a vaginal birth, a VBAC, to those who endured fear and trauma from their births, no one deserves to have their struggle, their triumphs or their situations dismissed as being irrelevant and meaningless.
A midwife should know better. DO better.
#gentleparenting #gentlebreastfeeding#birthtrauma#birthmatters#breastfeedingmatters#fedisnotbest#informedisbest#midwife#ahpra

15 likes
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8 hours ago

Sometimes, screaming is the only appropriate method of expressing your enthusiasm. 😆

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8 hours ago

Her belly laughs 🥰

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8 hours ago

My boy. Gutsy, determined & full of energy. He trusts me. He knows I’m right behind him & I wouldn’t let go if he wasn’t ready. I will never break that trust. It’s the same with clients. You need to find the balance between challenging them and supporting them. Push them too far, too soon, too hard - they won’t trust you. Trust must be earned. Your clients won’t just trust you because they are paying you. 3 WAYS TO BUILD TRUST 1️⃣ Communicate clearly. Let them know what your intention for the session is & explain your expectations. Every single session. 2️⃣ Be consistent. Who you are as a coach needs to be reliable and predictable. Your sessions can be different but your level of support, encouragement and feedback needs to stay consistent. 3️⃣ Meet people where they are. Don’t assume prior knowledge. Don’t make decisions for your client. Assess their skill level, ask them questions to understand their goals and make sure you customise your session to suit them - don’t just expect them to meet the standards you hold. #moxonmasterclass

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8 hours ago

Gotta brag on this dude.
We’ve honestly just had a rough year all together but especially the last several weeks have been exhausting. He’s been crazy and I’ve been short- tempered. It’s just been friggin’ HARD.
Last night he stayed the night with nana (which is usually a recipe for disaster- the sass is multiplied and trust me, it’s already bad on a normal day)
We were out ALL day today and way past bedtime but he was a literal angel the ENTIRE time.
It was just us and everything I suggested we do he said, “ok! I don’t care! I’m just happy to be with you, mom” 😱😭😍 #cryingintheclub
We do not deserve our children y’all!
Now we’re cuddling in bed, watching monsters university, and making plans for another Greyson & mommy day tomorrow!
So blessed ♥️

Some nights when I’m feeling super exhausted or have nothing to say, I find a quote that really resonates and share it instead. Tonight is one of those nights 🤣 and well I certainly don’t have my shit together today or any other day of the week.
#toughday #exhaustedmumma#stillhealing#sleeptime
➡️ Preorders are still open, so head on over and get some of your Christmas shopping sorted

313 likes
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2 days ago

Setting intentions with this Harvest Moon🌙⁣
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Everything Is always working out for me. {A.E.Hicks}

108 likes
5 comments

1 week ago

18 months of Jem.🌻She is such a diva right now. Loves the word “no,” is still SO obsessed with dogs, and is such a curious mess maker. AND I AM HERE FOR IT. 😍

190 likes
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Most popular gentleparenting Pics

1 day ago

What's your goal? If it's that your child says the 'right thing' (no matter what they feel inside) then telling them what to say is effective.
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If your child hurts someone & you tell them to 'say sorry' & once they have you move on, more than anything you've taught them that lying gets them out of trouble.
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If you want your child to 'feel' sorry then you're wanting them to learn 'empathy' which is one of the later developmental milestones for children. The 2 most helpful things you can do to encourage this along are...
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1) Apologise on their behalf so they can watch you modelling heartfelt apologies.
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2) Apologise to them so they can feel what it's like to have someone tune into their experiences & hurt. 💗🙏🏼

961 likes
58 comments

3 days ago

The biggest mistake parents of sensitive children make, is believing their child’s sensitivity is a weakness. .
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It’s understandable....
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As a parent of a sensitive child you are dealing with heightened emotional outbursts, & your heart breaks as their fear often stops them from stepping into confidence & courage. .
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But the truth is, sensitivity is a gift. .
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Highly sensitive children are deep thinkers, creative, intelligent & empathetic. They are the heart-centered leaders we need for our future 💛
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#ResilientLittleHearts

5307 likes
183 comments

1 day ago

It all comes back to human development, & the majority of this takes place in infancy & childhood between the child & primary caregivers.

545 likes
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1 day ago

“Empathy is one of the most powerful tools in supporting your highly sensitive child to deal with fear. .
The more emotional safety they can find in their relationship with you, the safer they will feel in the world over time.”
@sarahboyd .
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#ResilientLittleHearts

1487 likes
16 comments

2 days ago

Natural consequences don’t require us to implement anything. It is the natural experience that occurs that teaches the child what they need to know. (e.g they don’t eat- they might feel hungry. Or they don’t want to wear a coat- they might feel cold) The learning occurs without intervention.⠀
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When we let natural consequences do the work, the relationship doesn’t have to suffer. And the child doesn’t learn to hide parts of their authentic self.
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Helping children grow and learn can only come from a trusted place. Teaching them that we can help them through their struggles with collaboration and without judgment is what encourages them to seek us out. This is how they learn. And this is how they learn to seek support from others.
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There certainly won’t be a natural consequence for every situation and sometimes the natural consequence is not appropriate and therefore we have to step in (e.g. you play on the road, you might get hurt- obviously needs parent intervention). Developmental age and skills are also important to consider (e.g my 18 month old needs to wear a coat in the middle of winter but a 15 year old can make his own decision and learn from that).
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Natural consequences work as part of a bigger holistic picture to raising children. They are one piece of a bigger puzzle.
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What are your thoughts? Do you let the work of natural consequences do its job?
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#consciousparenting #gentleparenting#naturalparenting#attachmentparenting#respectfulparenting#unschooling#consciousness#raiseyourvibrations#psychology#child#parent#emotionaldevelopment#emotionalregulation#parentingtips#heal#healyourselfhealyourchild

553 likes
32 comments

2 days ago

Legend has it some babies *without being sleep trained* will sleep through the night before their first birthday (I've never met one but I've heard they exist...).
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Everyone, this is NOT the norm. And it needs STOP being a goal! Too many parents are wearing their sleeping babies like a badge of honour. Just because we can mess with nature and force a baby to stay in a crib for 12 hours, doesn't mean we should.
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We WANT our babies to signal to us when they're cold, wet, or hungry. And who says parental comfort and reassurance don't rank equally as important? Beyond the debate between what is and isn't a need, there's also the sleep science behind why babies wake up as often as they do:
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First off, babies spend more time in active sleep (similar to REM), which means they are easy to startle/awaken. We dont actually want babies to sleep too deeply too often! More blood flows to the brain during active sleep, which helps support the rapid brain growth we need to see in our babies.
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Secondly, breastmilk is higher in sugar than it is in fat, which means BF'ing babies feel hungry often and need to refuel. Breastmilk/saliva also act as pain relievers, so if you're baby is teething or otherwise uncomfortable, they're going to look to nurse more often than usual.
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And third, babies are born already knowing how to sleep (they do it in the womb! And as far as I know there isn't any sleep training industry for that...yet 🙄). As long as we are creating a supportive sleep environment, we don't need to - nor should we - "train" our babies to sleep longer.
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There are things we can do to support longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep as our babies age ...a 6 hour stretch for a 6 month old is a realistic expectation (for some babies). But we shouldn't force the-sleeping-through-the-night milestone on babies before they are ready. If your baby feels tired, safe and comfortable, then they will enjoy sleeping just as much as the rest of us do 😴🤗

562 likes
122 comments

8 hours ago

Children need adult support to regulate the emotional and physiological states that drive their behaviours. Time-out, where an adult isolates a child as a form of consequence/punishment, does not provide children with the support they need to develop the ability to regulate their emotions and behaviour- it cuts them off from accessing that support. In contrast, time-in is about creating a calm and connected space for you and your child to allow big feelings (and then behaviour) to settle within the safety and support of your relationship. For older children, time-in can be a time to talk through big feelings.
Children develop the capacity to regulate their own feelings and behaviours over time through repeated experiences of having their emotions soothed and regulated by a caregiver. They can’t do it without our support. AND when a child is emotionally regulated, they are less likely to display big behaviours. Supporting children with their feelings really is the key to helping children and families shift from moments of chaos to moments of calm.
For great resources on time-in and other relationship-based parenting ideas, check out the Circle of Security Parenting or the Gottman Institute online.
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#gentleparenting #parenting#parentingquotes#kidsofig#baby#mama#circleofsecurity#timein#childdevelopment#mentalhealth#calm#mindfulness#consciousparenting#family#familygoals#happyfamily#relationshipgoals#relationshipquotes#quotes#motivationalquotes#dailymotivation#therapy#weekend#weekendvibes#rachelsamson

976 likes
28 comments

3 days ago

R u ok day has made me reflect on my journey with anxiety and depression. It started when I was in year 10 at school, I would go to school riddled with anxiety and flop into bed the moment that I got home from pure exhaustion from just getting through the day. Why was I anxious? I had no idea. That made me feel crazy. Why did I feel this way? I had a beautiful nurturing family, an amazing group of friends I had no reason to feel this way. I was soon to learn that anyone, living any kind of life can be suffering with anxiety and depression. It got to a point where my mum said I needed to see about it and after being diagnosed with anxiety and depression within a few months I was put on medication. I have been on medication since (11 years) I am not ashamed of this, this is something that changed my life, I get anxious every now and then, usually when I least expect it. But it’s controlled. There have definitely been weeks/months of more darker times when things in my life have been tough but I’m ok! Mental health is REAL and it’s so important to be aware of this, in the life we are living now with social media being a huge part of our lives, where 99% of it seems like everyone is living a perfect life. You’re not alone. We need to speak more. We need to let not only our kids, but everyone know it’s ok to cry, to feel sad, to want hugs, to seek support. Together we can create change. 🖤 #ruokday2019#ruokday